Xhaka was seriously injured
Betfair Ambassador Dimitar Berbatov discusses the big talking point of the week as well as soccer tip for the weekend action…
Xhaka incident was painful lớn watch
Arsenal fans were wrong to boo their captain Granit Xhaka against Crystal Palace last weekend but the player's reaction was unacceptable. It's not the first time Arsenal fans have booed their own players as I remember it happening to Emmanuel Eboue in 2008. It's not pleasant at all and I found it painful to watch the Xhaka incident.
For a player, it dents your pride if fans boo your contribution or cheer that you're going off. You want to defend yourself but no player - especially the club captain - should ever react like Xhaka. When he took off his shirt, I was thinking: "Please don't throw your shirt down, because if you do that you're finished at the club."
I was playing for Tottenham in 2007 when Hossam Ghaly (pictured above) threw his shirt lớn the ground after being substituted. It is terrible for a team when that happens. Fortunately, Xhaka stopped short of doing that, but it will still be difficult for him lớn come back from this unpleasant incident. Unai Emery has a challenging job if he's to mend the relationship between Xhaka and the Arsenal fans- According lớn the good soccer tip page!
United can sustain winning run at Bournemouth
Manchester United put in a great team performance lớn beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and make it three away wins in a row. Brandon Williams was excellent again in defence, Scott McTominay had an outstanding match in midfield and every United player was fighting for the team.
Marcus Rashford's brilliant free-kick meant it's now four goals in four appearances for him. I'm delighted for him. United's improved performances will give this whole young team the confidence they need to keep building.
On Saturday, United travel to Bournemouth for the early kick-off. The hosts haven't won since September but Eddie Howe's (above) men are always well organised and, even though they've struggled to score recently, they're still in the top half of the table, just two places below seventh-placed United.
Momentum is so important in football. It can get a team over the line for a narrow win even if they're not performing at their best. Of course, pundits are fickle and, as soon as United lose, they will say that nothing has changed and the club are doomed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, so United have lớn keep winning. I think they'll edge this tricky game.
Chelsea lớn bounce back and win at Watford
I like the way this Chelsea team play. Frank Lampard is giving chances to young players and, even though they lost to United, it's paying off. Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and the rest of this Blues team are playing good football.
Watford, on the other hand, are in trouble. Since returning as manager, Quique Sánchez Flores has tightened up the defence and made them more competitive, but they still desperately need lớn get their first league win of the season. I don't think that'll happen on Saturday and Chelsea will continue their form at Vicarage Road.
